Rich went ahead to Tampa, so I covered practice today. The Devils had a light day on the ice before leaving for Florida this afternoon. Only six skaters and two goalies -- Martin Brodeur and Kevin Weekes -- skated, along with the Devils coaches. Defensemen Andy Greene and Jay Leach and forwards Bobby Holik, Mike Rupp, Jay Pandolfo and David Clarkson took part in the 30-minute (or so) workout.

Brendan Shanahan, who along with defenseman Paul Martin missed Sunday's game against the San Jose Sharks, was in for treatment and told reporters that he is in fact going on the trip to Florida and Tampa Bay. He said his right foot was sore after blocking a shot while killing a penalty in the second period in Friday's game against Boston, but it is much improved.

"Safe to say I'm just day to day,'' Shanahan said. "I don't know if it'll be good to play both games, but hopefully at least, definitely be (good enough to play one).''

Shanahan said nothing is broken in the (right) foot, and it's all about waiting for the swelling to go down.

Martin, who officially sat out with "upper body soreness,'' was not available to the media, and coach Brent Sutter didn't shed any light on his status for Tuesday's game against the Panthers.

"Status quo,'' Sutter said of Shanahan and Martin. "Both will make the trip... Day-to-day.''

I'm going to get some lunch and write a story on David Clarkson for tomorrow's newspaper. That will be posted this evening some time, after it's edited by the night desk.